US Youth Soccer celebrates 40th anniversary in 2014

FRISCO, Texas (Jan. 21, 2014) — US Youth Soccer, the nation's largest youth sports organization, celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2014. The celebration recently kicked off with the 2014 US Youth Soccer Workshop at the NSCAA Convention, which took place Jan. 15-19 in Philadelphia.

A highlight of the Workshop was the 2014 US Youth Soccer Awards Gala, which honored 17 individuals with national awards for their contributions to youth soccer during the past year and over a lifetime. Visit the US Youth Soccer Facebook page to view a photo gallery from the 2014 US Youth Soccer Workshop and Awards Gala.

“The Game for All Kids!” exploded from 100,000 players in 1974 to more than 1 million in the early nineties. Today, US Youth Soccer registers more than 3 million players annually, ages 5 to 19 through its 55 member US Youth Soccer State Associations.

For 40 years, US Youth Soccer programs and events continue to grow and add excitement at every level of the game. In the past five years, US Youth Soccer has further expanded its programs and benefits of membership.

The US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program Boys celebrated its 35th anniversary in 2012, while that year also marked the 30th anniversary for the US Youth Soccer ODP Girls. These programs continue to lead the way in elite player identification with countless players advancing to college, U.S. National Teams, Major League Soccer and the National Women's Soccer League.

The US Youth Soccer National League, established in 2007, continues to provide development and identification opportunities to elite teams seeking the best competition year-round. Now in its seventh season, the league has grown to include five age groups, including the latest edition of the Under-14 boys and girls for the 2013-2014 season. The league’s success was evident last summer when six of a possible eight National League teams claimed titles at the US Youth Soccer National Championships.

The US Youth Soccer National Championship Series continues to reign as the country's most prestigious national youth soccer tournament with over 185,000 players on more than 10,000 teams from US Youth Soccer State Associations participating. With the addition of more gender age groups and National League teams, the US Youth Soccer National Championships will set a new mark with 96 teams competing in 2014 at the Maryland SoccerPlex in Germantown, Md. Players are given the opportunity to showcase their skills against the best competition in the nation while emphasizing teamwork, discipline and fair play. The Series consists of three levels and teams earn their way from their state to regional and ultimately the national championships. Annually the US Youth Soccer National Championship Series provides the nation's top collegiate coaches with the premier stage to identify and scout the most coveted players in the country.

Entering its ninth season in 2014, The US Youth Soccer Show broadcasts to a national audience. The 30-minute, program is focused on highlighting those involved in the game and furthering the messages of US Youth Soccer. The upcoming season will kick off this April and run through December.

The US Youth Soccer Presidents Cup provides a progressive, competitive experience to US Youth Soccer teams from the state to regional to national level. The Presidents Cup gives players an opportunity to compete against teams from across the country at a high level for the joy and the challenge of the game.

US Youth Soccer strives to give every kid the opportunity to play the game and learn the positive lessons that can be obtained by playing soccer. Soccer Across America is charged to provide every child with the opportunity to play soccer, regardless of location or socioeconomic status. TOPSoccer (The Outreach Program for Soccer), is a community-based training and team placement program for young athletes with disabilities. Both programs help provide opportunities for all kids from across the country.

The Kohl's US Youth Soccer American Cup is the nation’s largest traveling recreational tournament and has scheduled an additional 15 events in 2014 to promote a fun, family-like atmosphere. With brand new inflatables and great giveaways for the upcoming year, the Kohl’s US Youth Soccer American Cups will allow for more interaction than ever for all participants to help increase their love of soccer.

The 11th annual Youth Soccer Month continued the month-long celebration of youth soccer in September 2013. The latest Youth Soccer Month featured several events from all over the country that shared the excitement and promoted some of the key benefits of soccer; specifically Fun, Family, Friendship and Fitness.

Founded in the spring of 1974 by key leaders including Karl Grosch of Washington and Don Greer and Robert Nessler of California, US Youth Soccer was created to unite all youth soccer programs throughout the United States by affiliation and self-government to enhance youth development through national programs. US Youth Soccer offers programs for every age and ability.